My neighbors chickens are constantly in my yard ....

[heebygeebies]

I don't understand people sometimes. Who just walks onto someones property without permission?

I would send them a nicely written letter just explaining either a) I don't mind the chickens on my lawn but don't appreciate humans coming onto my property so either let the chickens wander or keep them penned or b) I don't like the chickens on my property so can you please keep them penned.

Either way make sure it's known that you are not appreciating having your dog freak out about people on yopur property. You shouldnt have to deal with that stress.

 

[USMC chicken mommy]

My chickens walked into the neighbors yard one day, and he took a video and posted it to Facebook. Now, I live in the country on 2 acres, and there are no fences. I have lived here for 2 years, and they have a large pit bull. Before I got my chickens, their dog would come into my yard, barking it’s head off, pooping, etc. they NEVER had an issue with that. 6 months ago, the OTHER neighbors dog came into my yard and killed my yorkie. Long story short, had to take them to court, won, and the neighbor with the pit was like “it’s just a dog”. This is when he developed an issue with my chicken touching his grass. Yet his dog still defecates in my yard. I’m in NC.. he’s from jersey.

 

[Cryss]

My chickens walked into the neighbors yard one day, and he took a video and posted it to Facebook. Now, I live in the country on 2 acres, and there are no fences. I have lived here for 2 years, and they have a large pit bull. Before I got my chickens, their dog would come into my yard, barking it’s head off, pooping, etc. they NEVER had an issue with that. 6 months ago, the OTHER neighbors dog came into my yard and killed my yorkie. Long story short, had to take them to court, won, and the neighbor with the pit was like “it’s just a dog”. This is when he developed an issue with my chicken touching his grass. Yet his dog still defecates in my yard. I’m in NC.. he’s from jersey.

Please, don't judge us Jerseyans by such a cold hearted neighbor. My neighbors and I all have dogs that we are all careful to keep home. Once in awhile someone's pup goes wandering. That's when someone will take in a neighbors lost (or just mischievous) dog for safekeeping and call them to come get them. No one gets huffy. We feel like we've been visited by a neighboring fur baby. Good neighbors make a good neighborhood no matter where you live.

 

[USMC chicken mommy]

That’s great. But since these neighborhood dogs here have killed 6 of my chickens and my yorkie, I since keep my loaded 38 on my person when I go out the door. It has even got to the point that I’ve ordered my 2 doggies coyote vests for the soul purpose of neighborhood dogs with irresponsible owners. Here in NC, if a dog even thinks about chasing livestock, it’s shoot to kill. Unfortunate but this is the world I live in.

 

[Cryss]

That’s great. But since these neighborhood dogs here have killed 6 of my chickens and my yorkie, I since keep my loaded 38 on my person when I go out the door. It has even got to the point that I’ve ordered my 2 doggies coyote vests for the soul purpose of neighborhood dogs with irresponsible owners. Here in NC, if a dog even thinks about chasing livestock, it’s shoot to kill. Unfortunate but this is the world I live in.

Bad neighbors with bad dogs, even worse.

 

[deek248]

Very simple
somebody else's chickens on my property = Gumbo
somebody else's dog that kills other dogs = S.S.S.
somebody else's kids on my property = arrest for trespassing

 

[tnvarmint]

Not exactly the same problem as the original poster but we just bought our home in Feb/Mar of 2019. The first day we were moving in, my oldest daughter who was over to help us unpack got attacked by the neighbors dog. Wasn't anything serious as she was in jeans and the dog more or less snapped at it her leg rather than bite. I had to run the dogs off while trying to keep from being bitten myself. A couple of weeks later, the dogs attacked my younger 13 year old daughter. Again, no major bites, just nipping at her. I live in the country and luckily had my 380 pistol in my pocket. Had to run the dogs off again with pistol in hand. We wound up calling the sheriffs dept to have an officer dispatched out. After speaking with us, the deputy went over to have a 'heart-to-heart' with the owners. The owners got rid of the dog within a couple of days.

Fast forward to almost a year later. We now get along very well with the neighbors. We give them eggs, they let us pick apples from their apple trees and give them apple butter in return. Moral of the story is, you might have to go to the extreme with the neighbors to get your point across. Do so politely, yet sternly. Our neighbors had to see me chasing their dogs out of our yard with a pistol in hand and then have a discussion with local LEO for them to realize the problem. Us going over and talking with them prior to this might have worked but we were still trying to get unpacked and didn't know these folks. I spent 15 years working for our local LEO so I went the route I knew would resolve the situation peacefully.

Your other option is to have a good ole BBQ chicken dinner one evening. That will fix the problem and, at least where I live, is perfectly legal!

On a side note, I am probably one of the best neighbors to have. I don't bother folks and will go out of my way to help a neighbor in need. I am old fashioned and believe in good ole barn raisings, where the community help pitches in. All I ask is for you to respect my property and my boundaries.

 

[Mtnboomer]

No trespassing signs and beware of dog signs go up to cya legally. A friendly letter would be my 1st warning. If it happens again a face to face discussion, not confrontation, would be next. 3 strikes your out kinda of thing. By the 3rd transgression its time to gdt the authorities involved.
As for the himans, its a one warning. Het off and stay off. The next time I caught them on my property the sherriffs office will be called

 

[BDutch]

Why not go to the front door. Ring the bell and ask if the neighbours have time for a friendly chat about their dog, chickens, other pets, or kids coming into youre garden. ? IMO: Best way to communicate is at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee.

BTW: my chickens free range without a good fence. Sometimes they go to the property’s of neighbours (not very often). I asked if it bothered them. One family don't mind at all. They enjoy seeing the chickens. The other family only had a problem in spring when the chickens eat the seeds and young plants in their veggie garden. So I kept the chickens locked in, each spring or supervise them free ranging and keep them away from this neighbor. This year they bought a dog. And the chickens fear dogs. So they dont go near their house anymore. Problem solved.

I live in a friendly neighbourhood. We all know each other and help each other if we need a chicken-sitter, cat-sitter or dog-sitter for hollidays.

 

[Rooapalooza]

My goodness, just talk to them! Most people aren't bad; they probably don't even know it bothers you if you haven't said anything. They are being inconsiderate, but do the parents even know the kid is coming into your lawn? It's silly to think he's canvassing your house, so I hope you are joking. If you are serious, you can get surveillance cameras for less than $50 to ease your mind.

My neighborhood doesn't have many fences either. There's a cattle fencing between me and one of my neighbors, which some of my smaller chickens have gotten through. He has a bird-hunting dog who watches the fence, and maybe snatches them too. The first time I was there when it happened, I ran over to my neighbor's door and knocked frantically. When they didn't answer, I let myself in their lawn and got my bird back. This has happened once or twice since. I would hope if it bothered my neighbor, he would say something. The time I talked to him before, he was cool with it; if something has changed there would be no way for me to know other than him telling me.

I didn't realize my chickens were also crossing the road until someone told me. One set of my across-the-street neighbors (probably) called the police and also left extremely angry and threatening voicemails; the other stopped me politely while I was walking my dog. I now have a great relationship with the neighbor who talked to me. We sometimes talk and call each other to check on house stuff/animals/neighborhood stuff, etc. The other neighbors still make me very uncomfortable. I was in the wrong for sure; my chickens shouldn't be in the road/their lawn. I still get really negative/judgey vibes from them though, that make me very paranoid. I don't feel in danger but I also don't feel able to go and talk to them.

Anyway, my point is you can make allies or enemies, and it's pretty helpful to have friends in your neighborhood. Letters and signs are okay, but a little passive-aggressive, especially if you've never spoken to these neighbors. If you actually feel like you are in danger, then sure, get the police involved. Just know that isn't likely to help you make friends.